Washington Redskins: 15 greatest running backs in franchise history

A legend of the “Snow Bowl” between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Penn State Nittany Lions in 1992, and a former Heisman Trophy candidate, Reggie Brooks doesn’t have the long legacy that other great Redskins running backs do. But his contribution, in a time where consistency was a rarity, puts him above so many others.

A second-round draft selection in the 1993 NFL Draft, Brooks phased out veteran running back Earnest Byner from the starting job. Although he only stood at 5-foot-8, 209 pounds, he ran with energy and he quickly worked his way into a premier role, taking that role with authority.

In the 1993 NFL season, Brooks’ rookie year, the Notre Dame product tallied 1,063 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 223 carries, good enough for a 4.8 yards-per-carry average. Brooks was named to the All-Rookie team that year and his exploits put him in line to start the next year.

Unfortunately for Brooks, his career was essentially over after that. The young ball carrier would only accumulate 663 rushing yards in the next three years and only 295 total yards with the Redskins over the next two. By 1996, Brooks was out of the NFL, but his contributions in his rookie season exceeded expectations and accomplished enough to place him on this list.